Bosh, Bargnani power Raptors past Grizzlies

Jan 10, 2009 - 4:09 AM
TORONTO (Ticker) -- Despite a couple of key injuries, the
Toronto Raptors are starting to play some of their better
basketball of the season.

Chris Bosh had 32 points and 10 rebounds as the Raptors pulled
away for a 103-82 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Andrea Bargnani scored 21 points and Jason Kapono chipped in 11
and six assists for the Raptors, who shot 56 percent (40-of-72)
from the floor.

Bosh made his last seven shots and finished 11-of-13 from the
floor for his 10th 30-point game of the season. He also added
three blocks.

"We won a game that we're supposed to win," Bosh said. "We just
have to keep doing what we've been doing. Approach every game
with the charisma and the want to win that we've been coming
with and just play ball."

Toronto ended the third quarter on a 16-5 run, breaking a 56-56
tie to open up a 72-61 lead entering the fourth. Memphis went
without a field goal over the final 4:57 of the third.

The Grizzlies never recovered, failing to come closer than nine
points during the fourth quarter as the Raptors pulled away.
Bargnani made a 3-pointer from the right wing to cap an 11-2 run
that gave Toronto a 95-74 bulge with 3:42 remaining.

"They are a good team and with Chris Bosh playing the way he is
they are tough to beat," Grizzlies guard Kyle Lowry said. "They
move the ball and they are playing well together."

The Raptors, who have won four of five for the first time this
season, played their fourth straight game without point guard
Jose Calderon, who sat out with a strained right hamstring.
Center Jermaine O'Neal missed his sixth straight contest with a
sore right knee.

"Without Jose and Jermaine to keep things rolling, it actually
feels like we've improved our play," Bosh said. "And when Jose
comes (back) he can hit the ground running and we can keep
going."

Toronto led by as many as 13 in the first quarter but only took
a 47-44 advantage into the locker rooms.

Both teams traded baskets early in the third quarter before
Bargnani made back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Raptors a
62-56 lead with 6:28 left in the session.

"I'm not forcing anything and tonight I was able to make a
couple of threes in the third quarter because I was open and I'm
not rushing my shot," Bargnani said. "I'm playing a lot of
minutes and I'm shooting good."

Rudy Gay scored 22 points and Hakim Warrick added 18 off the
bench to pace the Grizzlies, who have lost 11 of their past 13
games.

"Everybody in this situation feels frustrated, but this is the
NBA and hopefully the next game we can turn it around and build
on that," Gay said.